Graduate

The Master of Arts education program in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Houston is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

Admission to the graduate program is limited to 30-40 new students each fall. Students learn in a supportive and challenging environment with easy access to faculty and supervisors and experience a well-balanced educational and training program. The faculty consists of 9 full time academic and clinical professors and five adjunct professors with specialized interest in voice disorders, motor speech disorders, right hemisphere cognitive-communication disorders, adult language disorders, swallowing, child language, literacy, bilingualism, multiculturalism and fluency.

Student Outcome Data

For the past 5 years, all of the graduates from our program have passed the national examination on their first attempt and 100% of those seeking employment are employed within 4 months of graduation. The 3-year average program completion rate is 89% (please see more detailed information in the table below).

Academic Year

Praxis Pass Rate: First Attempt

Program completion rate**

Employment rate*

2011-2012

100% (40/40)

100% (36/36)

95% (38/40)

2012-2013

100% (35/35)

92% (35/38)

100% (35/35)

2013-2014

100% (36/36)

91% (36/40)

97% (39/40)

3 year average

100%

94%

97%

* Employed within 1 year of graduation

** Completion within the standard time frame: 5 semesters for full-time students and 7 semesters with part-time continuous enrollment.

Full-time students typically complete the program in two years (5-6 semesters). Part-time students typically complete their program in three years (7 semesters). Part-time student take a reduced course load and clinic load during their first two years. Full-time attendance is required their second summer and final two semesters to complete externship placements. Click here to see sample programs of study for full and part time programs.

Specialty Concentration

The UH ComD graduate program, like all accredited programs, must provide a range of courses and clinical experiences so that students obtain knowledge and skills that span the “Big 9” disorders identified by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA). We understand that some students wish to specialize and obtain more in-depth, focused learning with a particular population or disorder area.

To provide a way to obtain some specialized learning, we offer Specialty Concentrations.

A Specialty Concentration is a mentored experience designed individually for each student. Concentrations are optional and not required for all students. The Specialty Concentrations require work above and beyond that expected of the UH ComD Graduate program. Interested students will meet with a faculty mentor and develop a specialty concentration contract that includes all required elements and deadlines.

Requirements: Students must take 3 credits towards the Specialty Concentration. The credits can be earned by taking an elective course either through the ComD department or another department, or by completing 3 credits worth of ComD Special Topics credits. These credits will fulfil the 3 credits of electives required in the UH ComD graduate program. The activities, projects, and expectations of the Specialty Concentrations are individualized and agreed upon by the student and his/her faculty mentor.

Part-Time Graduate Program

Students who have been accepted into the graduate program may opt into the part-time program. In the part-time program, course-work and clinic experiences are spread over 7 semesters. Students graduate at the end of their 3rd spring semester. Please click here for more information on the part-time graduate curriculum. During the last 2 semesters, students will be assigned to externships. The externships require a 30-40 hour per week commitment.

Due to the sequencing and availability of classes and clinic placements, students who begin part-time cannot accelerate their program to graduate earlier than the end of their 7th semester.

Part-time students must be available to be on-campus for clinic assignments and courses. Although the majority of graduate courses are taught in the evenings, some are offered only during the day. Clinic experiences are scheduled during the work-day.

Evidence-Based Practice Reports

All graduate students complete at least two (2) formative Evidence Based Practice case studies as part of their clinical training.

The Evidence Based Practice (EBP) Reports project at the University of Houston Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is a formative assessment of your development into critically thinking independent practitioners of speech-language pathology in a variety of settings. You must satisfactorily complete at least two (2) EBP Reports. A third EBP Report may be required of students who do not achieve a "pass" on their first two EBP Reports.

Comprehensive Exams

All graduate students who do not complete a Master’s Thesis must take a comprehensive exam in their last semester which serves as a summative assessment. The exam consists of complex clinical scenarios with multiple-choice questions regarding the scenarios. Questions probe etiology, characteristics, assessment, and treatment of a variety of communication disorders, as well as research and ethical issues.

Master’s Thesis

Graduate students have the option of completing a Master’s Thesis under the direction of one member of the faculty. Students may draw upon the ComD faculties’ wide range of research interests. Students who are considering a Master’s Thesis must earn an “A” in the Research Methods course (COMD 6261) and obtain consent from a faculty member who is willing to act as the thesis committee chair. Students who opt to complete a thesis must register for 6 thesis credits, and must be registered for thesis credits in the semester the thesis is completed. The 6 thesis credits take the place of the 3 elective credits, although the students may attend the elective course. Students who complete a thesis are exempt from the 2nd EBPR and also are exempt from taking the comprehensive examination.